Parashurama Jayanti is celebrated as birthday of sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu named Bhagwan Parshuram. Drik Panchang says, “Parshuram Jayanti falls during Shukla Paksha Tritiya in the month of Vaishakha. It is believed that Parashurama was born during Pradosh Kala (one and half hour before sunset) and hence, the day when Tritiya prevails during Pradosh Kala is considered for Parashurama Jayanti celebrations.” The purpose of the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu is to relieve the Earth’s burden by exterminating the sinful, destructive and irreligious monarchs that pillaged its resources and neglected their duties as kings. According to Hindu belief, unlike all other avatars, Parashurama still lives on the Earth. Therefore, unlike Rama and Krishna, Parashurama is not worshipped. In South India, at the holy place Pajaka near Udupi, one major temple exists which commemorates Parashurama. There are many temples on the west coast of India dedicated to Lord Parashurama.

 

The Kalki Purana states that Parashurama will be the martial guru of Shri Kalki, the 10th and final Avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is not the first time that 6th Avatar of Lord Vishnu will meet another Avatar. According to Ramayana, Parashurama came to the betrothal ceremony of Sita and Lord Rama and met the 7th Avatar of Lord Vishnu. Parshuram is also known as immortal, who fought back the advancing ocean, which was going to hit the lands of Konkan and Malabar. The coastal area between Maharashtra and Karnataka is known as ParshuramKshetra. Parshuram was known for his love for righteousness.

 

He was known to be the Guru to Bhishma, Dronacharya and Karna. However, in advance, Parshuram knew that Karna would do injustice to Duryodhan in the Kruskshetra war. So as the duty of a good guru, he decides to teach him the Brahmashastra, but he also cursed Karna that the knowledge will not be any use to him. According to another legend, Parshuram once went to meet Lord Shiva. As he reached the door, Lord Ganesh confronted Parshuram and stopped him from meeting Lord Shiva. Angry and furious, Parshuram threw the axe given by Lord Shiva on Ganesha. Knowing that the axe was given by Lord Shiva, Ganesha allowed the axe to cut away one of his tusks.